PFN – Dark Matter: Women Witnessing Seeking Submissions on the Theme: “Human Bodies in (and Out of) Place” Part Two

Even as the conditions for human life on earth destabilize, even as ecosystems collapse, and bodies both human and nonhuman are uprooted from their homelands, even as technologies enable and encourage unprecedented forms of disconnection, human bodies are rediscovering old ways—and finding new and remarkable ways—to come into relation with place. In the last decade especially, we’ve gained an enormous amount of scientific knowledge about trees, about the mycelial realm, about the waters, about our atmosphere and cosmos.  And in many cases, it’s been accompanied by a willingness to listen in ways that, except for indigenous peoples, we have not done before.

Issue #17 (Deadline: August 4, 2023) will once again center on the question of human bodies in (and out of) place. What brings us into profound relation to place—and what pulls us out? In a social world that feels less and less place-dependent, and a physical world that is being reconfigured by climate change and habitat loss, how do we sustain our connection to physical place? How does being in profound relation to place change everything between, around and about us?

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Dark Matter: Women Witnessing publishes writing created in response to an age of massive species loss and ecological collapse. It is a home for dreams, visions, and communications with the nonhuman world, especially those with messages for how we might begin to heal our broken relationship to the earth. We welcome writing in all forms and genres. All poetry and fiction must be accompanied by notes bridging to the journal’s mission. Context and commentary are required for dreams, visions, and other communications. We welcome submissions by women and nonbinary writers and artists.

Dreams and Visions features dreams, visions, nightmares or communications with nonhuman beings that respond in some way to this era of escalating danger and darkness—and ideally provide clarity and/or guidance. Commentary is required.